Time-fuse for explosive projectiles.



W. M. WILHELM & K. RUSHTON. T-IME FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16. I916.

1,242,501 Patented Oct. 9,1917.

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1 p 6 Inventors: 1 y Q/EFM A Atti a.

M. WILHELM, OF SWABTHMOBE, AND KENNETH RUSHTON, OF WYNNE'WOOD,

. PENNSYLVANIA.

TIME-FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PBOJECTILES;

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, WALTER M. W11 HIELM and KENNETH RUSHTON, citizens of the United'States, and residing, respectively, at Swarthmore, in the county of Delaware, in the State of Pennsylvania, and at ing, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to mechanically controlled'time fuses for effecting the explosion of projectiles atpredetermined times,

in which the time of release of the firingpin, by which the explosion of the cap or detonator is effected, is controlled by a mechanical device, such as a clock-train, deriving its movement from a spring or other suitable source of power, such as a centrifugally operated device. In time fuses of this general character it is usual to mount the thin metal cap, which covers the clock-train, rotatably on the base of the fuse and to provide between the cap and the controlling disk or wheel which rotates with the time mechanism, a coupling which permits such controlling. disk to be set by rotation of the cap for the purpose of determining the exact instant of explosion. In

order that the time movement may operate without being impeded by the cap, after the projectile has been fired from the gun, the coupling between the cap. and the controlling disk is so arranged that the controlling disk is released, either through the inertia of arelatively movable part at the instant of firing, or through centrifugal action set up by the rotation of the projectile. The present invention is particularly concerned with this coupling and it has for its object to provide an improved coupling which shall operate with certainty to uncouple the cap and the time mechanism at the instant when the projectile is fired from the gun, through the inertia of a relatively movable part, but shall provide the necessary en gagement betweenthe cap and the disk for the purpose of setting the disk. The invention will be more fully explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing in which it is illustrated and in which- Figure 1 is a view, partly in section and Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

Application filed August 16, 1916. Serial No. 115,159.

partly in elevation, of atime fuse which embod es the invention.

Fig. 2 1s a section on the plane indicated by'the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The fuse may comprise as usual a base a, adapted to be threaded into the body of the pro ectile, and a cap I) which covers and protects. the time mechanism and is mounted rotatably on the base a for the purpose of setting the time mechanism so as to determine the instant when it will act to release the firing-pin. The time mechanism, which may be of any suitable construction, for controlling the release of the firing-pin, is indicated generally at 0. A spring-actuated firing-pin d, adapted, when released, to act upon a cap or detonator a, is held in normal position, in the construction shown, by a sear e, pivoted on thelower plate of the time mechanism. A trigger-lever f, pivoted on the upper plate of the time mechanism, cooperates with the sear and with a notched controlling disk or wheel 9 which is carried frictionally by the time mechanism. The notch 9', when presented to the finger f of the trigger-lever f, permits the same to move so as to release the sear e and the firing-pin (Z. By rotation of the controlling disk on the staff a of the time mechanism, on which it is mounted frictionally, the position of the notch g may be shifted with respect to the position of the finger f of the trigger-lever f so as to regulate the time which must elapse between the starting of the time mechanism and the release of the firing-pin. For this purpose a coupling is provided between the controlling disk and the rotatable cap b of the fuse. The improved coupling, in which the present invention is embodied, consists of a plate or piece h of relatively thin and soft metal, preferably of soft copper, which is secured to the cap, as by rivets at h, and has its free end k bent substantially into the plane of the controlling disk 9 and formed to en gage the same, so that it shall be rotated with the cap 72. Preferably the part 71, of the coupling has a substantial breadth, both to give it suflicient stiffness in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the cap, and to give it sufiicient mass, and 1s formed at its end with a narrow tongue k to enter a corresponding notch g in the con- When the parts are in their normal relations and the projectile'is about to be pro pared for firing the cap 6 is rotated to-an extent determined by a given mark. This action eifects, through the coupling 11,, a. corresponding rotation of the controlling disk 9. When the projectile is placed in the gun and fired, the inertia of the part 71, of the coupling, of relatively soft metal, such as soft copper, causes the part k of the coupling to be bent rearwardly out of the plane of the controllin disk 9', as indicated by dottedlines inFlg. 1. This relative movement of the coupling disengages the conpling from the controlling disk and permits the time mechanism to begin its movement. I

We claim as our invention; 1. In a time-fuse for an explosive projectile, the combination of a base, a capmounted rotatably thereon, a time mechanism supported on the base and comprising a controlling disk, and a coupling member comprising a piece of relatively soft metal fixedly secured at one end to the cap and having its other end bent substantially into the plane of the controlling disk to engage the same normally and to be moved by flex-' ing out of such plane to release the time mechanism through its inertia when the projectile is fired from the gun. 2. In a time fuse for an explosive pros jectile, the combination ofa base, a cap mounted rotatably thereon, a time mechanism supported on the base and comprising a notched controlling disk, and a coupling member comprising a Wide piece of relatively soft metalsecured at one end to the cap and having its other end bent substantially into the plane of the controlling disk, and provided with a tongue to engage the same normally and adapted to be moved out of such plane to release the time mechanism through its inertia when the projectile is fired from the gun.

This specification signed this 7th day of August A. D. 1916.

WALTER M. WILHELM. KENNETH RUSHTON. 

